115 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The western Connecticut region surrounding Lakeside features a mix of state park campgrounds and private facilities within a short drive. Lake Waramaug State Park Campground in New Preston and Cozy Hills Campground in Bantam offer contrasting experiences, with the state park providing lakefront sites and boat access while Cozy Hills maintains 178 sites with full hookups for RVs and tent campers alike. Black Rock State Park Campground in Watertown and Point Folly Campground on Bantam Lake round out the options within 20 miles, each offering water recreation opportunities. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with a few private facilities extending their seasons slightly longer.
Reservations are essential during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly, particularly on weekends. Connecticut state parks typically open their reservation systems 11 months in advance, with holiday weekends booking within hours of availability. Many campgrounds in the region have limited or no cell service, particularly in valleys and more remote sites. As one camper noted at Macedonia Brook State Park, "The place is great for teaching wilderness survival skills, it has running water and porta potties, but cell service is spotty except near the main building." Tick prevention is necessary throughout the camping season, with multiple reviewers mentioning encounters, especially in grassy areas near picnic tables.
Site privacy varies dramatically between campgrounds, with weekday visits offering significantly more solitude. A visitor to Lake Waramaug noted, "Sites are huge with bathrooms and water nearby, but wouldn't even try to stay here on weekends unless you like seeing and hearing your neighbors' every move." Wildlife sightings are common, with beaver families active at dusk in some parks. Most campgrounds provide standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water, though campers report varying quality of bathroom facilities. Family-friendly activities concentrate around swimming areas and hiking trails, with several campgrounds offering nature centers or organized weekend activities during peak season.
"While this might be fine for some dogs, I have 2 young border collies that will jump that fence like it is not even there."
"We stayed near the water. Clean private bathrooms were a plus. Clean pool but only 3 feet deep."
from $72 - $122 / night
Check Availability"My family has been camping at Lake Waramaug for over 20 years. I can say most of what’s been said is true or partially so but whether it’s bad or good depends on your point of view."
"One of my favorite so far , went with family , to comply w covid and social distancing, the camp only rent your site and no one on your left or right or across ! Amazing !"
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful state park, very clean .. fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails. Bathrooms, free showers .. stores within a 5 minute drive. Most of the camp ground site are not secluded .."
"The family next to me offered me dinner one night after I spent the whole day working on my RV. Spanish rice chicken the works the plate could barely hold it all."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites."
"There’s two brand new bathrooms on site one of which is conveniently located right by the pool. Owners are doing new renovations to make this place look good!"
from $55 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground."
"It is adjacent to an amusement park so there were lots of families here. None of the sites have sewer, but there is a dump station on the way out."
"The campground is right on Bantam Lake which is great for boaters/kayakers fisherman and families. I have found the east side of the lake to be much more windy than the west side of the lake. "
"Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island"
"teaching scouts of all ages how to take and prepare for the wilderness survival badges place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut"
"Our camp spot was right above the river the flows behind this spot. You can go sit down by the water. But be careful!"
from $14 / night
Check Availability"We love this State Park because it's close to our home for a quick getaway. This time we tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. "
"Semi private with great view and nice walks to the water. Noise was not a problem overnight as to having problems with noises neighbors at other CT state parks."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Quiet woods atmosphere with trail’s. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Tall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane."
"The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods."
from $17 - $50 / night
Check Availability
ScoutI was in the area and needed a location to hook up. Temperature at 7:00 p.m. was 85 in July which is expected. They're able to get me in for the night. Quick and easy. Had smoke from the Canadian Wildfire which made for a good sunset
LegendExcellent campground! The forest is beautiful, the Hudson River is super close, there are great trails, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Sites are electric only, so make sure your water pump is working and fresh water tank is full. There are spigots for filling and a nice dump station. The player is excellent. I don't think tetn camping here would be great because the tent sites are closer together and there are trains that pass regularly. We couldn't hear the trains in our camper and our site was large and private with great Forest and hammock trees. The mansion tours at Vanderbilt and Mills were awesome!
TravelerWe arrived after 10pm so we couldn’t go into the general store to check in. But there was an envelope with our name and a description of where we had to go. Because it was so dark we couldn’t find it but the security guard was really helpful and showed us the way. We spent a really quiet night at this campground at a tent site with our rooftop tent and appreciated the clean showers and friendly staff. We would come back anytime.
TravelerI called as we were 3 hours away for a spot for the night. The lady who answered was amazing and asked everything to pick us the right spot. We showed up after hours and found our spot. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. Bathrooms were extremely clean! I recommend this spot to everyone! Well worth it!
GuideTall pines, the sound of the mighty housatonic river, and some car noise on the nearby 2 lane. The campground is landscaped and maintained beautifully. the highlight is the river, ever-present in sound. The primo sites are on the northern end , where most sites are right on the water, and just a small descent. Bathrooms are good, not great. Showers are push button automatic, water was warm. We have a small RV, the dump site is up the main road about a 1/2 mile in a turnout. Free for campers, on your honor. At office were college aged young men and women in very casual street clothes all very nice, and mannerly, but not very knowledgeable, and hard to believe they could handle an adverse situation. I asked for the soap to be filled in the mens room on Thursday afternoon at 4 and it was still not done at noon the next day. -it’s a 2 minute walk from the office. I asked about a hike, they told me a trail head was a mile up the road. We found a spur directly across the street. I miss real docents, with knowledge, and wearing the garb. All sites not directly on the river side have paths down to get there. Did a nice little moderate hike just across the street called Pine Knob. Nice vista, quick 760ft ascent, combines withe AT for a length, then back down total 3 miles the way we did it. Some nice restaurants in Kent. Found a good breakfast in Goshen. We’ll be going back.
TravelerArrived at night on a weekday to find two other vehicles parked in the lot, srilll was able to find a fire ring with a level area relatively easy. Very quiet, just the sounds of owls hooting at night. Very nice mixed forest, seems managed well. It is somewhat buggy. But doesn’t seem to be overly infested with ticks at least.
GuideA really nice campground for tenters and dry campers. No hookups, but decent bathrooms, lukewarm showers and well kept. The Housatonic river is wide and shallow but good for soaking on a hot day and right behind pretty much every campsite. The riverside sites have a clear view, the others you walk through the woods. The only negative is Route 7, which gets busy in the mornings, and at rush hours, but quiets down at night. Not a busy highway to begin with, but a major route. A good up and down hike right across the street, 760 ft ascent in a mile or so, 3 mile loop, you see AT through hikers on the portion of the combined trail. There is a drinking water tap you can hook a hose to for filling your RV, or jugs. No dump station. We had our class B here. Sites mostly level. Come during the week for better privacy. Supposedly fly fisherman come on weekends. Cute cabins for rent in a awesome location.
GuideFirst off the cons the train at 130 am is wonderful to get woken up to 2nd the sites are on top of each other 3 not many level sites didnt hear the buzzing at all no daddy long legs but ticks let's talk about how many ticks I got in the park I pulled 7 off of me in 5 nights at that park
GuideSpent one night here. The park is quiet. The facilities are a little outdated, although they said that newer ones had been built by the marina. I wasn’t up for the 15 minute walk, having just hiked up a mountain. My spot included electrical and water hook ups.
Campgrounds near Lakeside, Connecticut range from rustic riverfront sites to full-service facilities with modern amenities. The western Connecticut region sits at elevations between 700-1,100 feet with terrain characterized by forested hills and small valleys surrounding numerous lakes and waterways. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F overnight, making sleeping conditions comfortable for tent campers.
Fishing opportunities: Point Folly Campground sits directly on Bantam Lake where visitors can fish and kayak. "Clean and quiet. Beautiful lake for swimming, kayaking or fishing. Small little island," notes Mary C., highlighting the access to water activities.
Hiking trails: Macedonia Brook State Park Campground offers scenic mountain trails with varying difficulty levels. "The loop hike over the mountains was good, at times more intermediate than beginner and I wouldn't try to go it with younger kids. We did the east side one afternoon and the west the next," explains one camper, suggesting breaking up the trail into sections.
Swimming and water recreation: Visitors at Black Rock State Park Campground enjoy water activities in addition to hiking trails. "Beautiful state park, very clean... fishing, lake swimming, hiking trails," reports Michelle B., noting the diverse recreational options within a single location.
Dark sky viewing: Macedonia Brook provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Well spaced sites. No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps. And a night sky as dark as you can find in CT," reports Kate, highlighting the appeal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Clean facilities: Cozy Hills Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Clean. Well run campground. Beautiful area. Fishing on site. Crafts and events. Great camp store and grill and hot food," shares Daniel M., noting both cleanliness and amenities.
Extended season camping: While many state parks close by early September, Cozy Hills operates from mid-April through mid-October, and Gentiles Campground remains open year-round. "Was here for Three months and it was during the winter and didn't have any problems great people sell propane on site, and will answer any questions you have," reports Jacob S. about Gentiles.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Macedonia Brook, "No cell service," reports Neil T., while another camper mentions, "it does have some cell service but you got a gift towards the building I believe there's a repeater or a satellite relay in the building."
Site privacy considerations: Lake Waramaug State Park Campground has site placement issues. "This is an elbow to elbow parking lot of a campground. All their campground rules were unenforced, so it is a drinking party atmosphere," writes Thomas M., suggesting weekday visits for more solitude.
Facilities availability: Campgrounds range from primitive to full-service. At Macedonia Brook, expect "No bathhouse, just portable toilets and a few water pumps," while Cozy Hills offers "Very nice facilities. Most of the short-term sites are on a separate loop from the seasonals, which made for a nice short-term community."
Family activities: Lake Compounce Campground provides organized programming. "They have a small playground, activities, tennis court, basketball. Not to mention it's next to the amusement park," notes Nichol P., making it ideal for families seeking structured recreation.
Kid-friendly water options: Kettletown State Park offers accessible water recreation. "The reason why I said that place is perfect kids? It has a huge land of campsite that the kids can run around until their energy out for the night! Plus you would see awesome stars during the nighttime," shares Jennifer H.
Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare for wildlife encounters. "The place is clean it has running water has a porta potty and festival you don't have to worry because the state of Connecticut DEEP is just a phone call away," explains Merle S. at Macedonia Brook, noting the availability of ranger assistance if needed.
Site layout considerations: Kettletown State Park Campground provides variable site arrangements. "We tried one of the sites on the water, and I probably wouldn't choose the same site again. Site 11, while large, was uneven and had some large tree roots that would be easy to trip over," advises Kristin, highlighting the importance of site selection.
Limited hookup options: RVers should note that many state parks have limited utility connections. Lake Compounce Campground offers "electric, water and cable TV connections" according to Richard, but "NO sewer hookups, but does have a dump station."
Maneuverability challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access for larger vehicles. At Gentiles Campground, campers report "roads were narrow and steep and hard to maneuver bigger trailers and rigs," suggesting careful research for those with larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lakeside, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lakeside, CT offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 campgrounds and RV parks near Lakeside, CT and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lakeside, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lakeside, CT is Cozy Hills Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lakeside, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Lakeside, CT.
What parks are near Lakeside, CT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Lakeside, CT that allow camping, notably Northfield Brook Lake and Hop Brook Lake.
Keep Exploring
